Middlesbrough Futsal Club have talented players, a dedicated manager, and even a couple of trophies to their name. What they have lacked thus far, however, is fans.
Futsal is a sport with a very low profile in England and the Boro boys are something of unsung heroes, having represented Middlesbrough, and indeed Teesside University on both the national and international stage.
However last weekend, Middlesbrough Football Club’s controversial fan group, the Red Faction decided to attend Manchester v Middlesbrough to provide their special brand of travelling support for the futsal boys.
Formed in 2008, the Red Faction are a controversial group who have not really seen eye to eye with Middlesbrough Football Club. They believe that the consumerism of modern football is detrimental to the game; however, their main aim is to celebrate their team and their town.
The Red Faction code of conduct reads: “We are proud of our town, our region, and our history, and with supporting our local Football Club we celebrate all of these things. Red Faction offer constant support to the team, whether it be by non-stop singing, or executing visual displays of our support to inspire the players, and our fans. We are fully aware of, and truly passionate about the history and heritage of our club, and uphold this respect and unconditional pride in our actions.”
With this in mind, the group decided to offer their services to Middlesbrough Futsal Club, and a group of sixteen Red Faction members made the trip to Manchester’s impressive Velodrome, to watch Boro in their top of the table clash.
Armed with flags, banners and a drum, they belted out a mixture of classic chants such as “Red Army!” which later became “Pink Army” in honour of the team’s distinctive strip, and players names, particularly latching on to goalkeeper Eliot Brown : “He dives to the left, he dives to the right, Eliot Brown, he’ll save them all night!”
A member of the Red Faction known simply as ‘Stu’explained: “We've been talking about going to see a Middlesbrough Futsal game for quite a while now.
“One of our members, who I believe is a friend of one of the players, notified us about the game at Manchester. We jumped at the chance!
“We are an Ultra group, and therefore we love BIG flags, banners, drums and big displays or (Tifo) as they are sometimes known. So being able to go to a game and not having stupid restrictions such as height of flags, no flags, no standing, no drums, no banners, no noise, no breathing… is a big plus for us! And what better way than supporting our home town Futsal team? It all fitted in great.”
The Red Faction take their cues from Europe and South America, such as The Tifosi (fans) and Ultras and their ethos is simple, to support their team for the entirety of the match, and to make a real celebration of the game.
Stu continued: “When we got to the venue, some of us were surprised at the amount of cameras and seats that were pitch side, to be honest we didn’t know what to expect, but there seemed to be quite a lot of interest.
“The game was so fast and action packed unlike football, and we were able to sing loud and give a good wave of our flags so we were happy.
“If we had been allowed to use the drum we would have been even more happy! As the game progressed I could tell some of the lads and I started to get a bit more passion towards what was happening, cheering on an attack, and celebrating a goal and what not.”
Middlesbrough Futsal Club do have a couple of partners, such as Middlesbrough College and an affiliation with Lovemiddlesbrough, but the players and staff are unpaid and often have to pay their own expenses.
Manchester won the match 4-2, but the team were delighted with the Red Faction’s support, and revelled in having such a loud and appreciative audience.
Manager Damon Shaw, said: “It means a lot, we have always wanted to attract the Boro fans to support us and it gives us an extra impetus to keep striving to be the best.”
“The Red Faction support against Manchester away was amazing and from what I understand they enjoyed it.
“I hope this is just the start of a long relationship between the club and the fans. It will certainly start to make people take note and take us seriously as a sports club representing our town at the highest level.”
Shaw is ambitious for his team and is hoping the Red Faction can introduce a new audience to futsal, while raising the profile of the Middlesbrough side within the sport.
“It also underlines us as front runners in England.” He explained “We now not only have the best PR and marketing, we have the best supporters as well. It will help us achieve our goal of winning the English title and competing in The UEFA Futsal [Champions'] Cup.”
The spirit of futsal, combined with the lack of commercialism appeals to the Red Faction, and the opportunity to play in front of fans has given a massive boost to the futsal players.
Another member of the Red Faction, known as ‘baggy hat’ said: “I was really impressed with the players; they had a lot of heart in their play.
“The game was a bit scrappy at times, but it was a good laugh and I started to get really into it late on.
“It was also nice to be clapped by the players, and to actually have our efforts appreciated! We don't get that as often at the Riverside!”
Stu agrees, adding: “I’m looking to organise a 24+ coach load of us for the next game! The Futsal bug has been caught, and we have spread it on!”
Middlesbrough Futsal Club travel to Sheffield for an early 11.30 kick off on Sunday the 13th February before playing the reverse fixture at Thornaby Pavillion on the 6th of March (13.30).
First published on http://borofutsal.com/ on 28-1-11
